Dr. D
S.s.
Suzuki RM-Z450
Price: $515.95
Contact: 951/808-1114; www.dubachracing.com
Material: Stainless steel headpipe with an aluminum canister and end-cap
Style:Full two-piece system
Fit: Fits perfectly using all the stock hardware; mounts up in just minutes with no springs.
Weight: 6.10 lb
Sound: 101.1 dB
On the track: The bottom-end pulls a tad better than the stock system did, but the DR. D exhaust really comes to life in the midrange; the power is much more usable there. It pulls longer, requiring less shifting. Top-end power also pulls longer before bumping the rev-limiter.
Overall score: 97.O
Honda CRF45OR
Price: $899.95
Contact: 310/631-4363; www.fmfracing.com
Material: Titanium header and midpipe with a carbon-fiber canister
Style: Full three-piece system
Fit: The system takes a bit of time and patience to mount; the multiple springs are a bit annoying, requiring FMF hardware that comes with the system.
Weight: 4.58 lb
Sound: 100.1 dB
On the track: Bottom-end power is very smooth and similar to stock. The midrange is where the meat of the power is with the FMF system; the midrange power is strong and has more torque. The usable power curve allows second and third gear to be ridden longer. Top-end power has a bit more pull compared with the stock system.
Overall score: 97.O
Fmf Powerbomb Factory 4.1 Carbon
Suzuki RM-Z450
Price: $899.95
Contact: 310/631-4363; www.fmfracing.com
Material: Titanium header and midpipe with a carbon-fiber canister
Style: Full three-piece system
Fit: This exhaust demands a bit of time and patience to mount; the multitude of springs is a bit annoying, requiring FMF hardware, which is included.
Weight: 4.22 lb
Sound: 98.8 dB
On the track: The FMF system has a bit more usable power off the bottom than the stock arrangement. Midrange power is much more usable and is really where the meat of the muscle is with this system. The FMF exhaust likes to be short-shifted; it worked best in dry, slippery conditions. Top-end power was decent, but it revs out fairly fast before knocking on the rev-limiter.
Overall score: 94.O
Honda CRF45OR
Price: $864.99
Contact: 888/610-4242
Material: Titanium
Style: Full three-piece system
Fit: The system requires Leo Vince hardware (included) and uses multiple springs and a carbon-fiber canister hanger. It takes some time to install, but reading the directions will save you lots of time. This springs are annoying, but it comes with a trick spring puller and high-quality hardware.Weight: 6.18 lb
Sound: 101.5 dB
On the track: A strong power surge at the bottom allows the bike to be ridden with a lot less clutch out of tight corners, the midrange is very usable and spread out much further than stock and the top-end pulls longer. The power characteristics with this system were really noticeable in second to third gears, which we could use much longer.
Overall score: 95.5
Leo vince x3
Suzuki RM-Z450
Price: $864.99
Contact: 888/610-4242
Material: Titanium
Style: Full three-piece system
Fit: This system requires some time to install, as well as the included Leo Vince hardware and a carbon-fiber canister hanger. The X3 uses a ton of springs but comes with a trick spring puller and high-quality hardware. If you read the directions, that will save a bit of time. Weight: 6.15 lb
Sound: 100.8 dB
On the track: Bottom-end power has more snap that pulls much harder compared with the stock system. Midrange power also has more snap and feels as if it offers more torque. The top-end pulls longer before hitting the rev-limiter. All of our test riders were able to use second and third gear much longer with a lot less shifting.
Overall score: 97.o